Nurses celebrated at Otago Excellence Awards

International Nurses Day (May 12) was celebrated with an awards evening last night, to formally recognise and celebrate innovation and outstanding practice in the nursing profession across Otago.

This year, recipients were acknowledged and honoured at the Otago Nursing Excellence Awards, held at the Otago Polytechnic Hub in Dunedin.

“We are thrilled to recognise the significant contribution our nurses make to improve the health and well-being of our community,” says Southern DHB Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer Jane Wilson. “We know there’s incredible commitment to improve and advance nursing practice, and this celebration provided an opportunity for nurses’ contributions to be properly recognised.”

The Awards are held bi-annually in Otago alternating with Southland, and provide a unique opportunity for nurses to come together and celebrate innovation, clinical excellence, leadership, and research.

“We were delighted to have received nominations for nurses working across a wide range of practice environments,” says Mrs Wilson.

Award categories included Innovative Practice, the Rising Star Award, Education, Clinical Excellence, Leadership and more.

Scholarships are being funded by Southern DHB, Enliven Presbyterian Support Otago, HealthCare Otago Charitable Trust, Otago Polytechnic, Otago Rescue Helicopter Trust and the Donald Malcolm Research & Education Fund. (TBC)

Southern DHB would like to say ‘thank you’ for the huge contribution nurses make every day to health outcomes and communities. As part of International Nurses Day celebrations, staff were treated to cake sponsored by Southern DHB and the New Zealand Nursing Organisation.

Nursing Excellence Award Recipients:
Innovative Practice Awards – Jodie Healy, Informatics Team Leader, IT Systems
Contribution to the Community – Justine Dahlenburg, Crisis Nurse and Duty Authorised Officer, South Community Health Mental Health Team
Clinical Excellence Nursing Care – Trudy Galer, Nurse Colposcopist, Women’s Health
Child and Maternal HealthCare Otago – Julie Coverson, Registered Nurse, Consultant Liaison Psychiatry Services
Rising Star Award – Georgia-Rae Flack, Neonatal Intensive Care
Research - Maria Baby – Clinical Nurse Specialist, Intellectual Disability Service
Education – Joanne Robertson-Smith, Floor 7 Nurse Educator
Leadership – Linda Grady, Clinical Nurse Specialist, Intensive Care Unit
Presbyterian Support Otago Award – Madeleine Esdaile Clinical Co-ordinator, Aspiring Care Centre Wanaka
Otago Polytechnic Preceptorship Awards – James Mather, Registered Nurse, Otago Regional Forensic Community Mental Health Service
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